Kamon, The beautiful world of Japanese crests.

The Kamon are Japanese crests. Kamon specifically denotes a family crest whereas mon refers to any crest. For example, The chrysanthemum (KIKU) is the coat of arms for the Japanese Emperor,(this is different from the one is the Japanese passport, although this is a common misconception among many Japanese) . The Mistuba aoi is the Tokugawa family's kamon. Here is a good explanation about kamon.  Basically samurai used these crests as family identification as well as on their battle armors. But after Japan's most stable and peaceful period EDO, merchants and artisans began to put crests on items for business too. So there are around 300-400 basic designs and at least 7000-8000 crests. Since most Japanese hardly ever wear a Kimono in our daily life, it is very hard to know and learn about kamon. Actually many Japanese do not know their family creast now. However their desiigns are nice and beautiful, I think. And I heard because of a Japanese design trend, Kamon T-shirt have been selling well. Ah I found a funny i-pod too. This came from a famous historical drama;MITOKOMON.(tokugawa family member). Many western crests have the motif of a fierce animal to symbolize the power of the family. Many Japanese crests were designed based on nature and tools of life. When they used animal designs, they were pigeion, sparrowss, rabbits, or crabs or other such small animals.

Okay let me introduce some good Japanese crests. This site has free dictionary of Kamon data, you may check their huge sample. please click left side letter link.  I picked some.
Nature --- moon, star, wave, snow.
Plants ---cherry, plum, pine, bamboo, rice.
Animal ---chidori, butterfly, crane, rabbit.
tool & design ---wheel, fan, Japanese fan, bell, hat,

I suppose you know Kikkoman which is a famous soya sauce maker, their logo is a crest called Kikko. Kikko is the motif of a tortoiseshell. I want to introduce more, but it is impossible, there are so many crests! I think you may find your favorite design there. Please try it!  By the way my family crest is this Yokomokko, I am not sure, maybe so.

Comments

[Kensho]

Hi,
Don't know if anyone can help...
I've read that in the late Tokugawa era it was fashionable among sumo wrestlers to wear kimonos patterned with a cherry branch, a sword and an oar. And apparently when pronounced out loud and fast sounds like ‘I love a fight’. If anyone has any more info I’d love to know more.

[Paul Aoki]

You can try Designs 'N Gold in Hawaii. There website is http://www.designsngold.com They offer Japanese kamon research.

[Skye Powell]

I am searching for my family's family Kamon. Does anyone know where i can find it? I have found one of them on a komono given to me from my great-aunt, but i am unsure weather or not it is my family crest. I do know that my grandmothers brothers last name was Ohsato. If anyone knows anything, please let me know.

[robert]

hi does anyone know where i can find my family mon? i wanted to get my family crest tattoed because i truly admire my japanse culture, my last name is HASHIMOTO.

[mikio akima]

i have a project due and i was wondering what my crest was. i think its the eagle feathers. my last name is akima. thanks for the help

[Eric]

I wrote in a few months ago regarding my family crest. My last name is Atagi and I was curious if there were any other Atagi clans in Japan. I know of only one. If it is the only one, is it likely that we have the same crest?

[John Brown]

I came across a jewelry website that does Japanese crest research. The website is designsngold.com

They may be able to help those trying to find their family crest.

[Reid ASAMURA]

I'm trying to find the family mon for ASAMURA, and the ancestors that would have it has all past, any help would be greatly appreciated. All I know is that my great grandparents came to Hawaii from the Yamaguchi prefecture

[Tanabe]

I'm trying to find the Tanabe mon/kamon for our wedding, and the ancestors that would have it has all past, and no one seems to known. Does anyone know the Tanabe mon?

[Edward]

Hi! awesome site...my mother's family name is Teshirogi...is there a kamon for this name?

[Trisha Sellesin]

I was wondering what the kamon is for my family. My grandfather's name was Sakuhei Kawamura. My grandmother said they used to have a picture of his kamon, but living in Hawai'i during World War II, they had to hide it, and now it can't be found. I'd appreciate any help you could give me. Thanks
Trish

[naomi]

can you help me find the japanese family crest symbol (mon)for last name 'nagamine'? i am working on a project where i would like to hand paint the crest on a ceramic dish to give as a gift.

[naomi]

can you help me find the japanese family crest symbol (mon)for last name 'nagamine'? i am working on a project where i would like to hand paint the crest on a ceramic dish to give as a gift.

[naomi]

can you help me find the japanese family crest symbol (mon)for last name 'nagamine'? i am working on a project where i would like to hand paint the crest on a ceramic dish to give as a gift.

[Eric Atagi]

I have been looking for my family crest for a long time. My mother's side is Tanabe and Nakashima possibly Hiroshima prefecture. My father is Kimura and Atagi (I think changed from Ataka) also Hiroshima. Please help me if you can. Thank you.

[billy]

i haven't read all the posts so i'm not sure if this has been brought up yet or not...but i was wondering about the tanaka family crest. it is the plum blossom i believe but the only time i have seen it is on our family kimono which my cousin has. the plum blossoms on the sight are almost like it but in the middle near the small circle there is also 5 seeds. has anyone seen that one before?

[Oliver]

I'm not Japanese but I want a crest. How can I get one.

[Robb Sasaki]

I am pretty sure what my mon is , but would like to be positive... My last name is Sasaki , been told my family is descendents of the famous Sasaki kojiro.

[PakZa]

I am looking for the Chibana family crest...it is very hard because I am Okinawin rather than Japanese...any leads?

[Fred Zustak]

Hello,

What a beautiful site you have! My mother's name is Kazuko Tsukahara and is a direct descendant of Tsukahara Bokuden. I would be so very grateful if you might help me identify our family kamon.
Thank you,
Fred

[mari]

Hi there. Thank you for your comments. But unfortunately I can't reply your asking, because it is impossible to find the Kamon from name and area your family lived. Kamon was picked from their religion, philosophy, hobby, trends. I can't tell any from last name and area only. If you really want to know, check your family tree or you might find it on your ancestor's gravestone.

[Mick Tanaka]

I am looking for the Tanaka family crest. I dont speak japanese, but i'm trying to get in touch with my roots.. can you help me please, I dont know how to read the site. Thanks.

Mick
tanakamick@yahoo.com

[dick hamakawa]

does the "hamakawa" family possess a mon? if so, please send a photo of such. I have been looking and haven't able to track it down.
mahalo

[dick hamakawa]

does the "hamakawa" family possess a mon? if so, please sens a phot of such. I have been looking and haven't able to track it down.
mahalo

[mari]

Hi there. Thank you for your comments. But unfortunately I can't reply your asking, because it is impossible to find the Kamon from name and area your family lived. Kamon was picked from their religion, philosophy, hobby, trends. I can't tell any from last name and area only. If you really want to know, check your family tree or you might find it on your ancestor's gravestone.